Author: Tinatin Chelishvili, initiative group Youth for Zestaponi
A study of support systems and needs of women of pension age in Zestaponi Municipality clearly shows that women aged 60+ face significant socio-economic challenges. These difficulties are often invisible and rarely become the focus of public discussion, yet they directly and painfully affect these women’s daily lives and well-being.
The research presented in this blog demonstrates that women’s experiences are not tied to a single, isolated problem. Social relationships, access to healthcare, and economic conditions are closely interconnected, forming a unified systemic picture.
With others, but still Alone
According to the study, the majority of respondents live with their families, and there is no obvious lack of communication among family members. Although women aged 60+ are not physically isolated, feelings of loneliness often persist. Women may interact with family members or relatives, yet still find it difficult to share their emotions with them.
The research makes it clear that the mere existence of social relationships does not automatically ensure emotional well-being. However, involvement in household work and helping children and grandchildren strengthen women’s sense of value and importance. A significant protective factor identified by women is the feeling that they are still “needed” by their families.
The study also shows that outside the family, respondents are less engaged in other activities. The situation is further complicated by limited opportunities to participate in cultural and community activities. A lack of transportation, infrastructure, and financial resources increases the risk of social isolation, especially for women living in villages.
Caring for Health – Essential, yet often Inaccessible
Healthcare issues emerged as one of the most acute areas in the study. For women aged 60+, the high cost of essential medications is one of the main barriers. Despite existing state programs, women note that assistance often covers only part of their needs.
Due to financial constraints, many women are forced to take only those medications that are available free of charge or at a relatively low cost, which directly affects the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, access to preventive examinations is limited both because of their cost and transportation difficulties.
Pensions, Debt, and Hard Labor
Economic conditions place a particularly heavy burden on women’s daily lives. According to the research, for most respondents the only stable source of income is their pension. This amount is spent on basic expenses: food, utility bills, and medications.
For many women, taking on debt becomes the only option, whether through banks (pension loans) or local shops. In some cases, women are also involved in agriculture, which can serve as an additional source of income; however, this income is seasonal and unstable. In many instances, the costs necessary for survival exceed the income received.
Women’s everyday lives are characterized by intensive household and agricultural labor, which often leads to physical exhaustion and deterioration of health. Nevertheless, household labor is rarely perceived by women as an additional burden: for them, it is a natural responsibility and an important source of self-worth and self-esteem.
Dignified Aging Requires a Systemic Response
The experiences of women aged 60+ living in Zestaponi Municipality clearly demonstrate that the challenges they face are interconnected. Social relationships, opportunities to care for health, and economic conditions directly influence one another and jointly shape women’s well-being.
Existing social, healthcare, and economic support mechanisms do not fully address women’s real needs, leaving many problems unresolved at the individual level. Women’s narratives remind us that these difficulties are not merely personal experiences; they reflect a broader social reality shared by many women aged 60+ in Georgia.
Understanding these experiences is important not only for recognizing the situation of a specific group, but also for realizing why a more consistent, gender-sensitive, and systemic approach is needed, one that makes a dignified life for women aged 60+ a genuine priority.
About the Research
This research was conducted within the framework of a joint initiative of CRRC-Georgia and UN Women, aimed at strengthening civil society research capacities. The study was carried out by representatives of the organization Youth for Zestaponi, Tinatin Chelishvili and Natia Gogishvili, during July-September 2025. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 women aged 60+ living in Zestaponi Municipality.
The views expressed in this blog belong solely to the author and may not reflect the official positions of UN Women or CRRC-Georgia.
